Foldable backguard for electric ranges



Aug. 18, 1953 J. J. WOODB'URN FOLDABLE BACKGUARD FOR ELECTRIC RANGES 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1950 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH J. WOODBURN ATTORNEY.

J. J. WOODBURN 2,649,531

Aug. 18, 1953 FOLDABLEBACKGUARD FOR ELECTRIC RANGES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 12, 1950 INVHVTOR.

JOSEPH J. WOOQBURN MQW ATTORNEY.

Aug. 18, 1953 J. J. WOODBURN 2,649,531

FOLDABLE BACKGUARD FOR ELECTRIC RANGES Filed May 12, 1950 3 Shqets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH 1/. WOODBURIV AT TOR/VE X Patented Aug. 18, 1953 FOLDABLE BACKGUARD FOR ELECTRIC AN GES Joseph Joy Woodburn, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignorto Avco Manufacturing Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation ofDelaware Application May 12, 1950, Serial No. 161,671

4 Claims. (Cl. 219-35) The present invention relates to a backguard forattachment to a range and has more specific reference to a foldablebackguard for use with an electric range wherein the control switchesand similar electrical components are disposed within the backguardproper.

For a great many years it has been a common practice to pivot coverplates at the rear of ranges for covering the surface burners of therange when it was not in use, the covers being swung into a more or lessvertical plane behind the range when the range was in use. Such pivotedcover plates have been made in many forms and have also been made toserve secondary purposes when the range was in use, such as, formingshelves and racks for supporting and drying objects at the rear of therange. Several of the prior art designs were constructed so that thecover plate, when swung into an upright position at the rear of therange, acted as a backguard or splash back.

According to my invention a foldable backguard is provided which isprimarily intended to facilitate shipment and servicing of the unit. Myinvention is particularly useful when applied to an electric range inwhich the various electrical controls are disposed within the backguardproper.

In View of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a foldable backguard for use with an electric range tofacilitate the servicing of the electrical controls of the range notonly by rendering more accessible its wiring and electric components butalso by eliminating any need for moving the range away from any adjacentwall of the room in which it is used. Furthermore, use of the presentinvention makes it possible for persons servicing the range to work in aconvenient upright standing position rather than behind the range inawkward, cramped quarters.

Another object of the invention is the provision of backguard supportswhich are rigidly assembled to the frame of the range but which arecentrally pivoted to facilitate shipment without any necessity ofremoving the supports.

A very important object of the present invention is the provision of afoldable backguard which may be used in conjunction with a range havinga substantially flat top.

A practical advantage of the present invention to manufacturers anddistributors of electrical ranges is that the foldable backguarddecreases the overall shipping height of the range compared to what itwould be were the backguard and its supports permanently assembled in anupright position to the range. The possibility of shipping ranges of agiven size in smaller cartons and in smaller spaces will be recognizedimmediately as a very important advantage.

Another advantage that will have practical appeal to a housewife is thatthe present invention will permit washing or painting of wall surfacesbehind and adjacent to the range without requiring that the range bemoved away from the wall and without obstruction by any projecting supports at the rear of the range. This advantage will be of specialimportance in those homes where the range is placed in an alcove orrecess.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however,both to its organization and method of use together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof will best be understood from thefollowing description of a specific preferred embodiment, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of the top portion of an electricrange showing attached thereto a foldable backguard, having half of anassociated wiring shield broken away to show the internal constructionof the backguard;

Fig. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken on plane 2-2 of Fig.1, showing in section the backguard in its upright position assembled tothe range;

Fig. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the backguard and upperportion of the range showing the backguard and the upper portion of thewiring shield folded into a substantially horizontal position tofacilitate servicing and shipment of the range; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on plane 4-i of Fig. 1showing the structural details of one of the expansion hinges to whichthe backguard is slideably attached.

General description As shown particularly well in Fig. 2, the presentinvention is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with anelectric range, the main body portion of which is generally designatedI, having a backguard, generally designated 2,. positioned adjacent thetop rear edge thereof. As commonly provided, the electric range may havesurface burners 3 which are regulated by control knobs 4 secured toshafts 5 of control switches 6 which are secured to and disposed withinthe interior of the backguard. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the backguardhas a substantial depth to accommodate more readily these switches andrelated wiring 1 (see Fig. 1). When assembled, the range incorporates awiring shield 8 which is essentially a piece of flat sheet iron securedto the rear face of the range to cover and protect the associatedwiring.

In its assembled upright position, the backguard is firmly supported byand engaged with a pair of backguard supports, generally designated 9,each of which may include upper and lower portions joined by pivot pinsI I. The backguard also cooperates with a pair of expansion hinges it!which make possible movement of the backguard into a substantiallyhorizontal position in conjunction with the upper portions of thesupports.

Whenever it is necessary to ship the range or to service the electriccontrols, the backguard' is detached from supports 9 and is moved fromits upright assembled position shown in Fig. 2, to the position shown inFig. 3. If the sole purpose for folding the backguard is to service theelectric controls, upper portion 12 of the wiring shield need not bepivoted to its horizontal shipping position but instead may be left inthe assembled upright position indicated in Fig. 2.

Structural details The electric range of the present invention includesa range top panel [4 which incorporates a substantially fiat cookingsurface [5 supporting surface burners 3. The top panel is disposedadjacent side walls IG, the panel and Walls being firmly secured to aframe, the top rear edge of which is indicated at H. A pair of braces Hemay be provided between panel [4 and the frame to strengthen theassembled structure.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 a long forwardly extending central recess[8 is defined at the rear of the top panel by a downwardly extendingflange [Ba formed integrally with the top panel above the top of theframe proper, indicated at ll.

Each backguard support consists of a main support body [9 which issecured, as by screws 20, to flanges [8a and the top rear edge of theframe proper. port body [9 by a pivot pin I I is a support extension 2i,the extension comprising an elongated, channel shaped member having atab 22 at its upper end which is perpendicular to the length of theextension.

When the backguard is supported at the rear of the range, a screw 7.3secures each support extension 2! to its related support body [9 so thata rigid unitary support is created. The points of attachment of thesupports, being spaced by a substantial distance, make possible rugged,firm installation with the main body portion of the range.

An expansion hinge member 24 is attached to flange [8a at each side ofthe range. As shown particularly well in Figs. 2 and 3 each hinge memberis formed to define a vertically elongated slot 25 in which is slideablydisposed a hinge pin, which may take the form of a shoulder bolt 2Gsecured by a nut 21 to a reinforcing gusset 28 provided at each lowercorner of the backguard.

Suiiicient clearance is provided between the shoulder bolts 26 and theslots 25 to permit free sliding action when the backguard is lifted offPivotally secured to each supof the upper ends of support extensions 2|.Before the backguard can be lifted in this fashion, however, screws 29at the top of the backguard must be removed from engagement with tabs 22of the support extensions with which the screws are threadedly engaged.After these screws have been removed, the backguard with its electriccontrols may be lifted as an assembly until top flange [8b of thebackguard clears the upper ends of the support extensions, after whichthe backguard may be subjected to a pure rotation being eventually movedinto a substantially horizontal position as indicated in Fig. 3. Acomparison of Figs. 2 and 3 will show that, during this movement of thebackguard, shoulder bolts 26 remain engaged with the slots so that thebackguard can not come loose from the range.

When the backguard is disposed in the position shown in Fig. 3, controlswitches 6 and their related wiring may be readily serviced. Ifnecessary, the switches may be completely replaced. It is noteworthythat such extensive servicing is possible without any movementwhatsoever of the range proper away from any wall surface that may beadjacent. The practical importance of this feature will be fullyappreciated when it is remembered that modern electric ranges may weighover 260 pounds when fully equipped. Furthermore, the accessibility ofelectric components made possible by the present invention avoids theneed for any persons climbing between the range and the adjacent walland working in cramped awkward quarters behind the range.

During shipment, the upper portion [2 of the wiring shield and thesupport extensions to which it is secured by screws 30, may be rotatedas a unit about the axes of pivot pins H as indicated in Fig. 3. Beforesuch a rotation is possible, however, screws 23 which secure theextensions 2| to the support bodies I!) must be removed. These screws,shown in full lines in Fig. 2 are threadedly engaged with the extensions2i and lie above lower positions, indicated by phantom lines at 3 I, inwhich the screws are placed during shipment of the range. In the lowerposition (indicated by full lines in Fig. 3) the screws no longer engagethe support extensions but merely are threadedly engaged in the supportbodies alone thereby clamping the upper edge of the lower portion l3 ofthe wiring shield during shipment.

Notches 32 are provided at the upper corners of portion I2 of the wiringshield to permit engagement with reinforcing gussets 33 rigidly securedat the upper corners of the backguard. Additional slots 34 are providedin the lower edge of portion i2 to permit engagement of this portion ofthe wiring shield with the lower portion [3 as indicated in Fig. 1. Suchengagement of portion I2 with the backguard proper and the lower portionof the wiring shield is readily accomplished when the backguard isplaced in its assembled upright position by merely deflecting thisportion of the wiring shield slightly until the slots embrace theassociated edges of the gussets and lower portion of the wiring shield.

Use and assembly of the foldable baekguard When a range incorporatingthe present invention is shipped, the backguard and the upper portion ofthe wiring shield are disposed in a substantially horizontal position asindicated in Fig.

3. During shipment, protective pads of various sorts may be interposedbetween the backguard and the top surface of the range.

In order to assemble the range at its destination, screws 23 are removedfrom the position indicated at 31 and the support extensions, carryingthe upper portion of the wiring shield, are rotated into the uprightposition. As the extensions approach this position, the upper portion ofthe wiring shield is deflected so that notches 34 engage the upper edgeof the lower portion of the wiring shield. Thereafter screws 23 areshifted to their upper positions and are threadedly engaged with thesupport extensions to form a rigid support assembly.

The backguard assembly is then rotated and raised as a unit and islifted over the top ends of the support extensions. The top edge of theupper portion of the wiring shield is disposed behind flange lSb of thebackguard with notches 32 engaged with reinforcing gussets 33. Thebackguard is then lowered into the assembled position shown in Fig. 2and screws 29 are threadedly engaged with tabs 22 to complete theassembly.

Should it be necessary to service the electric switches or wiring of therange, it is merely necessary to remove screws 29 and to fold thebackguard forwardly as has been described hereinbefore. In the eventthat the range is again to be shipped, the screws 23 may be removed andshifted from their upper to their lower positions, thereby permittingthe upper portion of the wiring shield and the associated supportextensions to be rotated from the upright to the substantiallyhorizontal position.

It will be obvious that the backguard and wiring shield may be folded tothe horizontal position in a similar manner if it is necessary to cleanany wall surface directly behind and adjacent to the range.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim:

1. In combination in an electric range havin a frame structure abovewhich is disposed a top panel, a foldable backguard positioned above therear edge of said top panel, a plurality of expansion hinges joined tothe top panel and said backguard whereby said backguard may be movedlinearly and arcuately into a folded horizontal position above the toppanel, a plurality of supports having hinged upper and lower portions,said lower portions being joined at their lower ends to the frame andthe top panel, said upper portions extending vertically above thesurface of the top panel for a distance substantially equal to theheight of said backguard, means for eleasably joining the upper andlower portions of said supports to render them rigid, and means forreleasably securing said backguard to the upper portions of saidsupports when the upper portions of said supports are joined rigidly tosaid lower portions.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and in addition a wiring shieldcomprising upper and lower portions, the upper portion of said wiringshield being secured to the upper portions of said supports and movabletherewith.

3. In combination in an electric range, a main body portion, a foldablebackguard positioned adjacent the rear edge of said main body portion, aplurality of expansion hinges secured to said backguard and said mainbody portion to permit translatory and rotary movement of said backguardinto a substantially horizontal folded position above said main bodportion, a plurality of upright backguard supports comprising hingedlyconnected upper and lower portions, said lower portions being rigidlysecured to the rear face of said main body portion, the upper portionsof said supports being positioned in supporting relationship with saidbackguard when in its vertical position, means for releasably securingsaid backguard to the upper portions of said supports, means forreleasably joining each of said upper support portions to its relatedlower portion whereby said supports may be made rigid for supportingsaid bacliguard in its upright position, and a cover plate secured tothe upper portions of said supports, the upper portions of said supportsbeing movable as a unit with said cover plate to a substantiallyhorizontal position above said backguard when in its folded position.

4. In combination in an electric range, a main body portion, a foldablebackguard positioned adjacent the rear edge of said main body portion,means interconnecting said backguard and said main body portion topermit translatory and rotary movement of said backguard into asubstantially horizontal folded position above said main body portion, apair of rigid upright backguard supports each comprising an upper and alower portion hingedly interconnected for pivotal movement about an axisintermediate the ends of said support, the lower portions of saidsupports being rigidly secured to the rear of said main body portion,the upper portions of said supports normally being positioned insupporting relationship with said backguard when in its verticalposition, means for releasably securing said backguard to the upperportions of said supports, means for releasably joining each of saidupper support portions to its related lower portion whereby saidsupports may be made rigid for supporting said backguard in its uprightposition, and a cover plate horizontally divided into two sections, thelower section being secured to the rear of said main body portion andthe lower portions of said supports, the upper section of said coverbeing secured to the upper portions of said supports and being movableas a unit therewith to a substantially horizontal position above saidbackguard when in its folded position.

JOSEPH JOY WOODBURN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,118,155 Burch et a1 May 24, 1938 2,453,832 Dadson Nov. 16,1948 2,554,083 Berg May 22, 1951 2,556,554 Pellegrin June 12, 19512,556,555 Reedy June 12, 1951

